PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Takeshi Miike (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ed Nelson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nelson has chosen Hollywood Undead - We Are as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Miike
vs
Nelson

162 cm
30
148 lbs
26 - 9 - 0

175 cm
31
143 lbs
18 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Takeshi Miike!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ed Nelson!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Luis Engracia and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nelson misses with a takedown attempt
and Miike counters with a good low kick that Nelson was not able to check.
Miike throws a shot from downtown. Nelson moves away and avoids it.
Miike takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Miike avoids the body shot from Nelson.
Miike scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

Miike looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
It looks like Miike is going to stand back up.
Miike trying to control the action but Nelson is working from the bottom.
Nelson trying to control from the bottom.
Nelson wants to improve his position but Miike is controlling well.
Nelson throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Miike tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Nelson.
Miike perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nelson is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Miike's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Miike's back!

Nelson looking for the choke but no joy.
Nelson is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Miike. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.
Miike breaks Nelson's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.

Miike gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Miike closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Miike lands in his opponent's guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Nelson keeping full guard, as Miike tries to pass.
Miike is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nelson trying to keep a closed guard but Miike is proving a slippery customer.
Nelson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Miike is looking to get back to full guard here but Nelson has managed to pass to side control instead.
Nelson scores with punches from side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Miike stops Nelson from passing to mount.
Miike tries to bench press Nelson off him but Nelson keeps the position.
Nelson scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Miike to see if he's OK.
Miike is letting Nelson control him for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miike sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Miike gets full guard.
Nelson controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Miike is trying to keep Nelson in close.
Nelson stops Miike from standing up.
Miike might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Nelson passes Miike's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Miike trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Nelson manages to pass to mount!
Nelson lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Miike keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Nelson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Nelson trying to control but Miike is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Miike is trying desperately to improve position.

Nelson working for a submission but Miike is keeping him at bay.
Miike tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Miike is in a horrible position here. Nelson smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Miike is trying desperately to improve position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nelson trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Nelson with good strikes from the mount here!
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Nelson landing strikes from the mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ed Nelson will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Nelson with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Miike to score with a decent uppercut.
Nelson lands a nice shot that snaps Miike's head back.
Miike lands a nice shot to the body.
Miike swinging wildly here.
Nelson shoots in for a double leg but Miike sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A nice combination there by Nelson.
Miike throws a looping overhand right but Nelson ducks down to avoid it.

Nelson gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Miike to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Miike throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Miike is pushing down on Nelson's leg trying to pass to half guard. Nelson is fighting to maintain full guard but Miike has managed to sneak the leg through.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nelson is looking to improve his position.
Nelson moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nelson lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Miike!

Miike defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Nelson.
Nelson landing strikes from the mount.
Nelson with a couple of short strikes.
Nelson is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Miike is looking to improve his position but Nelson isn't that keen on the idea.
Nelson raining down hammerfists from mount.
Nelson avoids the attempt from Miike to control.
Miike is looking to get to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Miike is working hard here to advance position.
Miike tries to hold on but Nelson postures up.
Miike wants to try and get back to his feet.
Nelson lands a big elbow.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nelson trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Nelson lands a nice shot to the head.
Miike takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Nelson cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

Miike is rocked!
Miike regains half guard.
Nelson is looking to take a break and control but Miike is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Miike wants to control the action here but instead Nelson manages to pass to full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nelson lands a big elbow.
Oh Miike is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Nelson with the ground and pound from mount.

Nelson wants to finish this one by submission but Miike is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Nelson.
Miike is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Nelson looking to control but Miike is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Miike seems to have got his legs back now.
Nelson lands with some strikes.
Nelson with the ground and pound from mount.
Nelson in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Miike tries to hold on but Nelson postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Miike is in a horrible position here. Nelson smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nelson trying to control but Miike is having none of it.
Nelson landing punches.
Nelson putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Miike takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Miike working to try and regain half guard.

Nelson working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Nelson cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Miike tries to reverse the position but Nelson maintains control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ed Nelson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Nelson fails to land the takedown.
Nelson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Miike walks into a stiff left hand from Nelson.
Takeshi Miike seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Miike avoids a punch combination nicely.
Miike tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Nelson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Miike misses the shot to the body.
Miike looks to throw the jab but Nelson is out of range.
Miike dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Nelson. That did some damage!
Nelson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Miike pinned against the cage. Miike gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Nelson takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Miike slips under a jab from Nelson.

Nelson shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Nelson showed some decent athleticism there.
Nelson is thwarting Miike's attempts to control the position.
Ed Nelson has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nelson drops an elbow to the side of Miike's head.
Nelson content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Nelson looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Miike with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Miike looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Nelson wants to work for an arm triangle but Miike is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Miike tries to roll over but Nelson keeps him under control.
Nelson trying to pass the guard but Miike defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Miike is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Nelson scores with a couple of nice shots.
Nelson prevents Miike from improving his position.
Nelson lands strikes from half guard.
Miike looks like he's trying to stand up.
Nelson prevents Miike from improving his position.
Nelson drops an elbow to the side of Miike's head.
Miike pushes Nelson off looking to stand but Nelson dives back in and keeps control.
Miike is trying to get back to full guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Still in half guard, Nelson seems content to control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nelson trying to control from half guard but Miike is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nelson scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Nelson prevents Miike from standing back up.
Nelson content to control rather than advance.
Miike is looking for a sweep. Nelson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Miike scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Nelson manages to mount him!
Miike tries to reverse the position but Nelson maintains control.
A nice elbow there by Nelson.
Nelson fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!

Nelson working for a submission but Miike is keeping him at bay.
Nelson is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Miike can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Miike tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Nelson takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Nelson lands a nice shot to the head.
Nelson breaks from Miike's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Miike is squirming around, avoiding Nelson's attempts to control the action.
Nelson scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Miike?
Miike is wriggling around trying to escape.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Miike tries to lock up and control but Nelson gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Nelson cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Miike is trying to escape the mount.
Nelson landing punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ed Nelson really dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Miike throws a low kick but Nelson avoids it.
Miike throws out a loose jab but Nelson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Miike throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Nelson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Miike sprawls well. Miike wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Nelson gets slowly back to his feet.
A shot to the liver by Miike. Beautiful body shot.
Miike lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

Nelson shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Nelson showed some decent athleticism there.
Nelson scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Miike wants to improve his position but Nelson is controlling well.
Nelson trying to control from half guard but Miike is working away.
Nelson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Miike is looking to escape.
Nelson scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

Nelson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Miike doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Nelson.
Nelson lands strikes from half guard.

Miike kicks off Nelson and gets to his feet.
Miike fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Miike lands a nice shot that snaps Nelson's head back.
Nelson lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Nelson looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Miike avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nelson postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nelson keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Miike's head.
Nelson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Miike is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Nelson defends well.
Nelson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Nelson is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Nelson lands a couple of elbows.
Nelson is working Miike over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Nelson is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Miike working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Nelson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Miike is tightening it up a little... Nelson has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Nelson reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Nelson taps out! Nice BJJ there by Miike!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Takeshi Miike!
Takeshi Miike retains his bantamweight title!
Takeshi Miike was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.