PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Altair Firenze (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ovca Namjera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Altair Firenze has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Firenze
vs
Namjera

175 cm
19
138 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

160 cm
25
145 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

KAISER

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Altair Firenze!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ovca Namjera!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Don Winkell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Namjera moves in looking to clinch but Firenze pushes him off.

Namjera gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Firenze to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Namjera keeping moving, preventing Firenze from controlling successfully.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Firenze passes Namjera's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Firenze is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Namjera has managed to free his arm - good work.
Namjera is trying to stand.
Namjera tries to roll over but Firenze keeps him under control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Firenze stops Namjera from getting back to his feet.
Namjera is trying to control but can't.
Namjera is trying to stand up here but Firenze is controlling him well.
Firenze trying to control the action but Namjera is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Firenze stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Firenze slips under a jab.
Namjera scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Namjera avoids the head kick by Firenze.
Namjera slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Namjera fails to land with a series of punches.
Namjera catches Firenze with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Namjera shoots in but no luck this time.

Firenze throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Namjera tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Firenze is in Namjera's guard.
Firenze passes into half guard.
Firenze works his way into full mount!
Namjera is working to get back to half guard.

Firenze moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Namjera has worked his arm free - good work by Namjera!
Firenze will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Firenze is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Namjera knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Firenze trying to control the action but Namjera is working from the bottom.

Firenze working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Namjera is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Firenze tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Firenze advances nicely into full mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Firenze lands a nice shot to the head.

Firenze looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Namjera is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Firenze has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Namjera's face.
Firenze is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Namjera is squirming around, avoiding Firenze's attempts to control the action.
Firenze landing strikes, looking to finish!

Namjera defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Firenze.

Firenze jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Namjera manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Firenze is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Namjera can't do much from the bottom here.
Namjera is looking for a sweep.
Namjera is not content to let Firenze control the position.

Firenze is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Namjera is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Firenze in side control, just content to control the action for now.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Namjera pushes Firenze away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Firenze gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Firenze trying to control the action but Namjera is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Altair Firenze dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Namjera enables Firenze to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Namjera manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Firenze tries to free his leg and advance position but Namjera is retaining full guard.
Namjera is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Firenze won't allow Namjera to sweep him here.

Firenze avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Firenze sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Namjera's guard.
Namjera tries to get to full guard but Firenze has control of the leg.
Namjera is trying to stand up here but Firenze is controlling him well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Firenze is working for a submission of some sort.
Firenze trying to control the action but Namjera is working from the bottom.

Firenze seems to be working for a kimura but Namjera defends the submission attempt.
Namjera wants to get back to his feet.
Firenze wants to pass the guard but Namjera is defending well.
Namjera wants to get back to his feet.
Namjera is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Namjera is pressing down on Firenze's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Firenze working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Namjera's head.
Firenze wants to pass the guard but Namjera is keeping the position.

Firenze drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Firenze jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Firenze gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Namjera blocks a head kick by Firenze.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Firenze looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Firenze 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.
Namjera trying to control here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Firenze is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Namjera is just riding it out for now. Firenze eventually gives up the hold.
Namjera is refusing to be controlled, as Firenze sits in half guard.
Namjera tries to kick Firenze off but Firenze keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Firenze uses his free foot to push down on Namjera's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Namjera.
Namjera is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Firenze cracks Namjera with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Namjera is trying desperately to improve position.
Firenze landing strikes from the mount.
Firenze sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Namjera wants to control but Firenze is having none of it.
Firenze takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

Firenze looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Namjera tries to lock up and control but Firenze gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Altair Firenze dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Firenze shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Namjera tries to score a power double leg takedown but Firenze sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Namjera somewhat.

Firenze shoots in and bounces Namjera off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Firenze wants to control from the top but Namjera keeps moving.
Namjera is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Firenze is controlling him.
Firenze trying to control the position from guard on top but Namjera is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Namjera is looking to stand up but Firenze isn't so interested in that idea.
Firenze is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Altair Firenze has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Namjera throws a right hand that Firenze ducks under and follows up with a left that Firenze also avoids with ease.
Namjera takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Namjera.
Firenze staying out of range there.

Firenze decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Firenze works his way into full mount!
Namjera is in all sorts of trouble here.
Firenze trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Firenze goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Namjera turns into him and now he's in Firenze's guard.
Namjera wants to pass the guard but Firenze is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Namjera trying to control but Firenze is working from the bottom.
Namjera wants to pass the guard but Firenze is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Firenze has his hands on Namjera's head, controlling the position.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

We're going to have a standup here because Altair Firenze wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Firenze throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Namjera was covering up waiting for the punch and Firenze finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Namjera looking for a sweep. Not yet Namjera, not yet.
Firenze trying to control but Namjera is working from the bottom.
Firenze stands and throws Namjera's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Namjera's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Firenze tries for a kimura but Namjera is defending well.

Firenze goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Namjera has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Firenze but great work by Namjera.
Altair Firenze overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Firenze is looking for a sweep.
You can see the frustration on Firenze's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Ovca Namjera has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Firenze is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Altair Firenze is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Namjera looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

And that's the end of the fight!
Altair Firenze showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Firenze, 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Altair Firenze!