PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Neil NaLeans (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ferdinando Ferrari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

NaLeans
vs
Ferrari

177 cm
35
185 lbs
22 - 15 - 0

178 cm
30
180 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

ADCC Champion
Excellent MT
Powerful

Crippler's Corner

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Neil NaLeans!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ferdinando Ferrari!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Wesley Smith and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ferrari cracks NaLeans with a good jab.
NaLeans tries to clinch but Ferrari moves away
and Ferrari counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
NaLeans fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ferrari throws a quick inside leg kick.
Ferrari misses with a looping right.
Ferrari throws a right hand that misses

and NaLeans moves into the clinch.
NaLeans tries to land a knee to the head but Ferrari blocks with his arms.
NaLeans takes a shot to the head.
Ferrari lands a body punch in the clinch.

Ferrari gets control of NaLeans's arms and successfully pulls guard. Ferrari will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
NaLeans has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
NaLeans throwing strikes from guard but Ferrari blocks nicely.
NaLeans wants to stand but Ferrari has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
NaLeans throwing strikes but missing.
NaLeans preventing the sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
NaLeans tries to free his leg and advance position but Ferrari is retaining full guard.

Ferrari is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
NaLeans trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
NaLeans throwing strikes from guard but Ferrari blocks nicely.
NaLeans postures up.
NaLeans looking to pass the guard.
NaLeans postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Ferrari keeping moving, preventing NaLeans from controlling successfully.
Ferrari trying to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
NaLeans loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Ferrari tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ferrari keeping full guard, as NaLeans tries to pass.
NaLeans throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ferrari works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
NaLeans wants to get up but he can't break Ferrari's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Ferrari trying to control the position here.
NaLeans stopping the sweep attempt from Ferrari.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
NaLeans wants to control from the top but Ferrari keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Neil NaLeans wasn't doing enough on the ground.
NaLeans moves out of range as Ferrari strikes.
Ferrari jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Ferrari closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Ferrari avoids a wild elbow strike from NaLeans.
Ferrari tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ferrari doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

NaLeans successfully pulls guard.
NaLeans controls Ferrari momentarily but Ferrari frees himself.
Ferrari trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

NaLeans had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Ferrari defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ferrari lands a couple of digs.
Ferrari chips away with some ground and pound.
Ferrari trying to control but NaLeans is working from the bottom.
Ferrari throwing strikes but missing.
Ferrari trying to control but NaLeans is working from the bottom.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ferrari not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
NaLeans keeping moving, preventing Ferrari from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ferdinando Ferrari dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

NaLeans tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ferrari paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ferrari connects with an inside leg kick.
Ferrari fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
NaLeans lands a nice looking body shot.
NaLeans shoots in but Ferrari avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Ferrari throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. NaLeans tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Ferrari is in NaLeans's guard.
Ferrari landing with the ground and pound.
NaLeans keeping moving, preventing Ferrari from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
NaLeans is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
NaLeans preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferrari scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Ferrari trying to control the position from guard on top but NaLeans is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ferrari lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
NaLeans not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

NaLeans has his feet on Ferrari's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
A slow jab from Ferrari misses its intended target.

NaLeans instigates a clinch.
NaLeans throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ferrari blocks it with crossed arms.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
NaLeans misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ferrari jumps guard but NaLeans turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Ferrari drops down looking for an ankle pick but NaLeans pulls his leg out and moves away.
NaLeans misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
NaLeans takes a shot right to the bread basket.
NaLeans fails with the takedown
and Ferrari counters with a low kick, right behind NaLeans 's knee.
Ferrari looks to score with a jab to the body but NaLeans is just out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
NaLeans uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ferrari.
NaLeans shoots for a double leg takedown but Ferrari sprawls well. He's pushed NaLeans's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Neil NaLeans. That's going to take a lot out of him.
NaLeans looks to land a combination but Ferrari avoids it well.
NaLeans fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferrari bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Ferrari throws a hook but NaLeans blocks it.
NaLeans throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
NaLeans walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
NaLeans keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Ferrari throws a lazy right hand but NaLeans sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
NaLeans has a takedown stuffed.
Ferrari lands a jab to the nose.
Ferrari jabs NaLeans to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Ferrari throws an uppercut from half a mile away. NaLeans sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Ferrari moves into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ferrari presses NaLeans against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

NaLeans escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ferrari missing with a left hand there. NaLeans was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ferrari throws a hook to the side of NaLeans's head but NaLeans sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
NaLeans shoots and misses
and Ferrari counters with a right hand to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ferrari throws a big shot that misses.
NaLeans pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ferrari misses with a left hand

and NaLeans counters with a takedown into side control.

NaLeans goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Ferrari has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for NaLeans but great work by Ferrari.
NaLeans takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Ferdinando Ferrari has got the better of the ground game so far.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ferrari scoring with punches and elbows.
Ferrari remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ferdinando Ferrari showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

NaLeans connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Neil NaLeans is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
NaLeans looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
NaLeans is looking to clinch.
NaLeans tries to bum rush Ferrari with a series of wild strikes but Ferrari uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ferrari looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? NaLeans is fending him off so far but Ferrari persists. Nope, NaLeans circles away and we're back to standing.
NaLeans throws a head kick that misses.
Ferrari shoots for a takedown but NaLeans saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Ferrari darts in and clinches NaLeans up against the cage.
NaLeans misses with an elbow over the top.
Ferrari misses with a hook to the ribs.
NaLeans taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
NaLeans tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
NaLeans trying to control the position but instead, Ferrari has worked for underhooks and has pushed NaLeans into the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Ferrari.
Ferrari lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
NaLeans throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ferrari blocks it with crossed arms.
Ferrari doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short right from NaLeans.
Ferrari lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Ferrari prevents the takedown attempt.
Ferrari lands a hook to the side of the head.
NaLeans misses with the head strike.
Ferrari stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for NaLeans.
Ferrari is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but NaLeans is defending well.
Neil NaLeans has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ferdinando Ferrari.
Ferrari is leaning against NaLeans and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ferrari has a couple of punches blocked by NaLeans.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ferrari breaks the clinch.
Ferrari fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

Ferrari fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with NaLeans, pushing him back against the cage.
Ferrari drops down looking for an ankle pick but NaLeans pulls his leg out and moves away.
Ferrari looks to land a right hand but NaLeans moved out of range.
NaLeans throws a combination. Ferrari tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

Ferrari moves into the clinch.
NaLeans lands a knee to the head.
Ferrari tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ferdinando Ferrari seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Ferrari blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A head punch on the inside from Ferrari fails to land.
NaLeans blocking some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferrari lands with a short shot to the head.
NaLeans misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ferrari.
Ferrari takes a knee right on the jaw!

Ferrari's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Ferrari forces NaLeans back against the cage and clinches.
Nice body punch from Ferrari.
Ferrari misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ferrari stalling in the clinch but NaLeans improves position.
Neil NaLeans has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ferdinando Ferrari is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Ferrari can't get the takedown.
NaLeans tries a knee to the head but Ferrari blocks it.
NaLeans blocks a body shot from Ferrari.

NaLeans pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

NaLeans shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Ferrari is trying to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

NaLeans is working for a kimura from half guard. He's really concentrating on the hold and it's allowed Ferrari to slip a leg under and get back to full guard.
Ferrari has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ferrari looking to hit a scissor sweep but NaLeans is one step ahead there.
NaLeans wants to stand and escape but instead Ferrari has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ferrari lands a couple of decent looking shots.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ferdinando Ferrari comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Ferrari has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ferdinando Ferrari!
An out of breath Ferdinando Ferrari thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.