PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Nezu Nambara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sergei Ivanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nambara comes to the cage accompanied by This Is Goodbye - Blue Foundation. The crowd seem to be enjoying Ivanov's choice of entrance music: HINO RUSSO. Nezu Nambara had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Nambara
vs
Ivanov

190 cm
27
183 lbs
6 - 2 - 1

180 cm
28
182 lbs
13 - 8 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Steel Penn's Laundry 93%

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 6 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Nezu Nambara!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Sergei Ivanov!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Emerson Jorge and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nambara fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Nambara tries to clinch but Ivanov is having none of it.
Ivanov misses with a few strikes there.
Ivanov looks to throw the jab but Nambara is out of range.
Ivanov connects with a looping right hand.
Nambara misses the jab.
Ivanov is looking to clinch but Nambara is avoiding it.
Ivanov throws a jab when Nambara was well out of range.
Nambara ducks under a wild hook from Ivanov.
Nambara misses with a looping right.
Nambara fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Nambara ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ivanov moves away.
A punch combination from Ivanov misses.
Nambara avoids a punch combination nicely.
Nambara cracks Ivanov with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Ivanov wants to clinch up but Nambara keeps it at a distance.
Ivanov tries to bum rush Nambara with a series of wild strikes but Nambara uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nambara throws a nice inside leg kick.
Nambara fails to land with a series of punches.
Ivanov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Nambara, right into the meat.
Nambara throws a nice looking combination but Ivanov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nambara thows a body shot but no joy.
Nambara will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ivanov sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Sloppy strikes from Nambara. Those never looked like landing.
That kick from Nambara tenderised Ivanov's leg. Ivanov is trying to keep his angry face on.
Nice uppercut lands for Nambara. That snapped Ivanov's head back.
Ivanov throws the left hand but Nambara avoids the punch easily.
Ivanov lands a really nice looking cross but Nambara seems unphased.
Nambara slips a straight right by Ivanov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nambara slips under a jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Ivanov drives through and clinches with Nambara against the cage.
Nambara prevents a body shot from Ivanov.
Nambara misses with the head strike.
Nambara looking to slow down the pace here.
Nambara has Ivanov pressed against the cage, preventing Ivanov from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Ivanov takes a knee to the side of the body.
Nambara creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Nambara pushes off an throws an elbow but Ivanov leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Nambara misses with the head strike.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Ivanov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nambara is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Ivanov blocking some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nambara misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ivanov.
Nambara tries to work over Ivanov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nambara misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nambara working Ivanov over with knees to the body.
Ivanov stalling in the clinch but Nambara improves position.
Nambara tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ivanov's elbow.
Ivanov lands with a short shot to the head.
Nambara stalling.
A frustrated look appears on Ivanov's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Ivanov lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Nambara or not.
Nambara connects with a nasty looking knee right to Ivanov's face.
Nambara throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Ivanov misses with a hook to the ribs.
A bit of stalling here from Ivanov.
Nambara with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nambara misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ivanov.
Nambara tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ivanov avoids it.
Ivanov trying to stall but Nambara improves his position.
Nambara scores with a shot to the side of Ivanov's head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nambara unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Ivanov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Ivanov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Nambara looking to stall.
Ivanov blocks an elbow strike.
Ivanov takes an elbow to the temple.

It looks like Sergei Ivanov has been cut.
A shot in the inside from Nambara.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nambara is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Nambara prevents a body shot from Ivanov.
Nambara scores with a shoulder strike.
Ivanov lands a body punch in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nezu Nambara dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Sergei Ivanov's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Ivanov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ivanov avoids the body shot from Nambara.

Nambara gets a clinch.
Ivanov is trying to break free.
Nambara looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Good body shot from Ivanov.
Ivanov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Ivanov lands a body shot in the clinch.
Ivanov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Nambaras head.
Nambara throws an elbow that misses.
Ivanov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ivanov managing to block the knees to the body from Nambara.
Nambara pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Nambara looking to slow down the pace here.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanov tries a body shot but Nambara blocks it.
Nambara misses with a punch to the body.
Ivanov lands a shoulder strike.
Ivanov is trying to break free.
Nambara controlling the action here for a moment.
Nambara can't find room to land a body shot as Ivanov controls the action.
Ivanov wants to get back to striking at distance but Nambara won't allow it.
Ivanov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Ivanov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Ivanov lands a body shot in the clinch.
Nambara misses with some punches.
Ivanov looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Nambara.
Ivanov slowing the pace effectively.
Knees to the body from Nambara.
A frustrated look appears on Ivanov's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Ivanov blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Nambara manages to break the clinch.
Ivanov swinging wildly here.
Ivanov tries to close the distance and clinch but Nambara swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nambara swats away the attempt to clinch by Ivanov.
Nambara tests Ivanov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Nambara scores with a crisp jab that stopped Ivanov in his tracks.
Ivanov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Nambara throws out the jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Ivanov.
Ivanov throws a series of punches but Nambara avoids them all with ease.
Ivanov looks to throw the jab but Nambara is out of range.
Nambara is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Nambara tests Ivanov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Ivanov misses with a hook. Nambara ducked under it nicely.
Ivanov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Nambara tries to clinch there but Ivanov circles away.
Nambara scores with a nice right hand.
Nambara cracks Ivanov with an open hand slap.
Ivanov moves out of range as Nambara strikes.
Nambara tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ivanov was well out of range. Poor timing from Nambara.
Ivanov swinging wildly here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ivanov misses with the combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nambara moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Nambara tries to clinch up.
Nambara avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ivanov avoids the head kick by Nambara.
Ivanov throws a right and a left that both miss.

Nambara pushes Ivanov up against the cage in a clinch.
Ivanov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nambara blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ivanov wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Nambara has him pressed against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ivanov tries to work over Nambara's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nambara is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ivanov is defending well for now.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Nambara.

Nambara pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
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 Nezu Nambara will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Sergei Ivanov's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Ivanov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Nambara counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ivanov tries to clinch there but Nambara circles away.
Nambara throws a series of punches but Ivanov moves out of range.
Nambara keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ivanov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ivanov tries to bum rush Nambara with a series of wild strikes but Nambara uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Nambara looks to score with a jab to the body but Ivanov is just out of range.
Ivanov throws a combination that misses
and Nambara connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ivanov tries to close the distance and clinch but Nambara swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nambara looks for the body kick but Ivanov saw that one coming.
Nambara ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Ivanov moves in looking to clinch but Nambara pushes him off.
Ivanov tries to clinch but Nambara is having none of it.
Nambara circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ivanov takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Nambara.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nambara. Ivanov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nambara lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ivanov circles away quickly and effectively.
Nambara is looking to land body kicks.
Nice jab there from Nambara.
Ivanov scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Nambara swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Ivanov counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Ivanov is trying to break free.
Nambara misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nambara misses with a body punch.
Come on Nambara - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Ivanov tries to throw a body punch but Nambara avoids it by throwing Ivanov back against the cage.
Ivanov lands a nice shot to the body.
Nezu Nambara is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nambara lands with a right to the head.
Ivanov struggles to land a body shot inside as Nambara controls his hands.
Ivanov prevents a body shot from Nambara.
Ivanov misses with the head strike.
Ivanov misses with the head strike.
Ivanov has Nambara pressed against the cage, preventing Nambara from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Nambara wants to stall.
Ivanov is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.

Ivanov breaks from the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ivanov lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

Nambara clinches up against the cage.
Ivanov throws a head punch that misses.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Nambara is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Ivanov breaks from the clinch.
Nambara swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nezu Nambara is winning the standup battle so far.
A jab from Ivanov finds it's way through Nambara's defenses.
Ivanov moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Ivanov falls off balance throwing a combination
and Nambara counters with a slapping leg kick.
Sergei Ivanov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ivanov throws an overhand right that lands on Nambara's shoulder, as Nambara tries to avoid the shot.
Nambara avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nambara lunges at Ivanov with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Ivanov's hand.
Nambara lands with a cross.
Ivanov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ivanov throws a hook but Nambara avoids it easily.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Nambara, right into the meat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nambara lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Nambara connects with a jab.
Sloppy strikes from Ivanov. Those never looked like landing.
Ivanov might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
A jab from Ivanov does it's job there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nambara slips a straight right by Ivanov.

Nambara fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ivanov, pushing him back against the cage.
Ivanov looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Nambara stalling in the clinch but Ivanov improves position.
Ivanov misses with a punch to the body.
Nambara lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Nambara lands an uppercut.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nambara blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Nambara connects with a nasty looking knee right to Ivanov's face.
Nambara creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Ivanov's defenses.
Ivanov scores with a shoulder strike.

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 Nezu Nambara.
Well Nambara has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Thiago Cunha scores the fight 28:29
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 29:29
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 30:28

The fight is ruled a draw!