PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Lenny Nero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yuki Ozawa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Nero
vs
Ozawa

175 cm
22
146 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

163 cm
22
139 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Lenny Nero!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Yuki Ozawa!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, William Gold and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nero looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Nero shoots in and gets a takedown into Ozawa's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nero trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Ozawa utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Nero in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Ozawa avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Nero in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Nero stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ozawa swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ozawa utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ozawa is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Nero is controlling him.
Nero trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Nero in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Nero in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nero loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Nero stops Ozawa from standing up.
Nero in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Nero wants to pass the guard but Ozawa is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nero content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Nero's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Nero throwing strikes but missing.
Nero missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Nero wants to pass the guard but Ozawa is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nero wants to get up but he can't break Ozawa's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Ozawa has his feet on Nero's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Ozawa throws a sloppy head kick and Nero moves out of range easily.
Nero is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ozawa sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Ozawa cracks Nero with a right hand to the side of the head.
Nero scores with a jab.

Ozawa closes the distance and pushes Nero back into the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Nero creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A bit of stalling here from Ozawa.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ozawa is defending well against a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lenny Nero. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A short right from Ozawa.
Nero tries for a takedown but Ozawa manages to get underhooks.
Nero misses with a punch to the body.
Ozawa trying to control the position but instead, Nero has worked for underhooks and has pushed Ozawa into the cage.
Nero lands a shoulder strike.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ozawa wants to get back to striking at distance but Nero won't allow it.
Nero wants to stall.
Ozawa tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ozawa swings wildly with an uppercut but Nero uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nero manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lenny Nero dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Nero circles away from the clinch attempt.
Horrible takedown by Nero or perhaps it was just good defense by Ozawa which made him look bad.

Ozawa instigates a clinch.
Ozawa controlling the action here for a moment.
Ozawa has Nero pressed against the cage, preventing Nero from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Nero keeps control of Ozawa as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Ozawa breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nero moves out of range of the body kick from Ozawa.

Ozawa gets caught napping as Nero dives in and scores a takedown. Ozawa manages to retain guard.
Nero working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nero throwing strikes from guard but Ozawa blocks nicely.
Nero stops Ozawa from standing up.
Nero pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ozawa is keeping the position for now.
Nero throwing strikes but missing.
Nero trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Ozawa manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ozawa preventing the sweep.

Nero had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Ozawa defends it easily.
Lenny Nero overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Nero working for a triangle but Ozawa defends it easily.
Ozawa won't allow Nero to sweep him here.
Nero is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ozawa stands up from Nero's guard - Ozawa perhaps looking for a knockout.
Nero has a takedown stuffed.
Lenny Nero is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nero scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Ozawa tries to move into range but Nero moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Ozawa fails in his attempt to clinch.
Nero lunges at Ozawa with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Ozawa's hand.

Ozawa gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Ozawa prevents a body shot from Nero.
Ozawa tries a knee to the head but Nero blocks it.
Ozawa can't break the clinch.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Ozawa in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Nero lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Nero is looking to control Ozawa's arms but Ozawa gets an underhook and turns him. Now Nero has his back to the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Ozawa fails to land.
Nero lands with a right to the head.
Nero manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Ozawa tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Ozawa looking to throw knees to the head but Nero is blocking nicely.
Ozawa manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ozawa looking to stall.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nero lands a body shot.
Ozawa has a couple of punches blocked by Nero.
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 Lenny Nero will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Ozawa on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Nero fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Nero shoots in for a double leg but Ozawa sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Nice shot lands for Nero.
Jab from Nero.
Nero lands a jab to the head.
Nero circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ozawa checks the leg kick nicely there.

Ozawa drives through and clinches with Nero against the cage.
Ozawa pushes Nero back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Nero lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Ozawa wants to stall.
Nero is looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lenny Nero. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nero blocks an elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ozawa displaying some good clinch control by pressing Nero up against the cage.
Nero is trying to drag Ozawa to the mat but Ozawa just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Ozawa tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Nero's elbow.
Nero can't find room to land a body shot as Ozawa controls the action.
Ozawa wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Nero prevents a body shot from Ozawa.
Ozawa trying to control the position but instead, Nero has worked for underhooks and has pushed Ozawa into the cage.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ozawa keeps control of Nero as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Nero breaks from the clinch.
Nero keeps the fight on the outside.
Ozawa misses with a series of wild punches.
Nero drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Nero misses with a leg kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ozawa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Ozawa gets a clinch.
Ozawa with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Nero working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Ozawa misses with a hook from the clinch.
Nero tries to break the clinch but Ozawa is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nero lands a nice shot to the body.
A nice right hand lands inside from Nero.
Ozawa is trying to break free.

Ozawa breaks the clinch.
Nero is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Ozawa walks into a stiff left hand from Nero.
Nero connects with a good right hand that stumbles Ozawa. Ozawa circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Nero tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Ozawa is able to avoid easily.
Nero lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Nero tries for a takedown but Ozawa sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Ozawa clinches with his opponent.
Ozawa looking to stall.
A short right from Nero.
Nero lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Yuki Ozawa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ozawa misses with an elbow over the top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters up against the cage, Ozawa throws an elbow but misses.
Ozawa gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Nero.
Nero is trying to force a seperation but Ozawa has the dominant position.
Ozawa missing with knees to the body.
Nero is trying to push Ozawa away but Ozawa has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Still in the clinch, Ozawa scores with a nice short uppercut.
Lenny Nero is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Yuki Ozawa seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Nero's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Nero lands a left hand.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nero is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Ozawa pulls him back up using the underhooks.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Nero seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
Ozawa looks to throw an elbow but misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Lenny Nero.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Nero, 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Gold scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Glass scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lenny Nero!
Lenny Nero decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.