PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Abdul Rashid Naji (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andrzej Niedzwiedzki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Niedzwiedzki is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Nirvana - You know you're right. Abdul Rashid Naji had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Rashid Naji
vs
Niedzwiedzki

195 cm
27
277 lbs
13 - 6 - 0

198 cm
25
270 lbs
12 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

ADCC Champion
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Zentrope Fighting Universe
$300

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Abdul Rashid Naji!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Andrzej Niedzwiedzki!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, David Schapiro and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Niedzwiedzki looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Naji misses with a looping right.
Niedzwiedzki throws out a leg kick but Naji moves out of range and Niedzwiedzki only half commits.
Naji stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Niedzwiedzki.
Niedzwiedzki swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Niedzwiedzki tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Naji was well out of range. Poor timing from Niedzwiedzki.
Abdul Rashid Naji seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Niedzwiedzki throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Naji smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

It looks like Andrzej Niedzwiedzki has been cut.
Naji shoots and misses

and Niedzwiedzki counters by moving into the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Niedzwiedzki misses with the head strike.

Naji breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Niedzwiedzki misses with a low kick.
Nice defenses there by Naji.
Naji shoots in looking for a takedown. Niedzwiedzki tries to sprawl out of it but Naji keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Niedzwiedzki manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Niedzwiedzki moves into range and connects with a jab.

Naji shoots in and bounces Niedzwiedzki off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Naji is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Niedzwiedzki is pulling down on Naji's head to control his posture.
Naji is looking to work some ground and pound but Niedzwiedzki has wrist control.
Niedzwiedzki controls Naji momentarily but Naji frees himself.
Niedzwiedzki wants to sweep but no luck.
Naji trying to control but Niedzwiedzki is working from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
A chopping leg kick lands by Niedzwiedzki.
Naji uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Niedzwiedzki has time to react.
Naji shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Niedzwiedzki as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Abdul Rashid Naji. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Niedzwiedzki throws a leg kick but Naji sees it coming and moves out of range.
Niedzwiedzki lands a glancing blow to the side of Naji's head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Niedzwiedzki slips a jab from Naji.
Andrzej Niedzwiedzki is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A leg kick checked by Naji.
Niedzwiedzki turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
The crowd cheers as Niedzwiedzki lands an impressive looking overhand right. Naji doesn't seem phased though.
Niedzwiedzki has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Naji finds it's way round the side to connect with Niedzwiedzki's head.
Naji slips a jab and a cross from Niedzwiedzki.
Naji throws a lazy right hand but Niedzwiedzki sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Niedzwiedzki finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Naji checks a leg kick nicely.
Niedzwiedzki tries to move into range but Naji moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Naji lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Naji looks for a takedown but Niedzwiedzki sprawls well.
Niedzwiedzki throws a looping overhand right but Naji ducks down to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Naji takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

Naji closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Niedzwiedzki's guard.
Niedzwiedzki keeping moving, preventing Naji from controlling successfully.
Niedzwiedzki is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Niedzwiedzki has Naji pulled in close to control his posture.
Naji wants to stand and escape but instead Niedzwiedzki has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Niedzwiedzki trying to control but Naji is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Niedzwiedzki stopping the sweep attempt from Naji.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Niedzwiedzki controlling from the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Andrzej Niedzwiedzki.
Niedzwiedzki throws a nice inside leg kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Naji tries to clinch but Niedzwiedzki moves out of range.
Naji moves out of range as Niedzwiedzki strikes.
Naji connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

That has opened up Andrzej Niedzwiedzki's cut even more.
Niedzwiedzki lands a high kick!
Naji avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Naji lands a jab to the head.
Naji closes this distance looking for a takedown but Niedzwiedzki circles away.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sloppy strikes from Niedzwiedzki. Those never looked like landing.
Naji connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Niedzwiedzki looks to land a body kick but Naji moved away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Abdul Rashid Naji will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Andrzej Niedzwiedzki's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Niedzwiedzki misses with a kick to the body.
Naji pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Niedzwiedzki connects with an inside leg kick.
Niedzwiedzki throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Naji misses with a looping right.
Niedzwiedzki turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Naji tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Naji is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Niedzwiedzki displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Naji throws out the jab.

Naji gets a clinch.
Naji is looking to take this one to the mat.
Niedzwiedzki misses with a punch on the inside.

Niedzwiedzki breaks the clinch.
Niedzwiedzki misses with a low kick.
Naji has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Niedzwiedzki.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Naji fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Niedzwiedzki misses with an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Niedzwiedzki.
Niedzwiedzki doesn't manage to clinch there - Naji circles away.
Niedzwiedzki throws a low kick but Naji moves out of range easily.
Niedzwiedzki plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Naji with a poor takedown
and Naji takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Abdul Rashid Naji. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Niedzwiedzki walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Naji checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Naji avoids the head kick by Niedzwiedzki.
Naji connects with a looping right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Niedzwiedzki jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Niedzwiedzki lands a jab to the nose.
Naji is looking to clinch.
Naji fails with a takedown attempt.
Naji avoids the body shot from Niedzwiedzki.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Niedzwiedzki connects with a solid leg kick.
Niedzwiedzki moves away from the strike by Naji.
Andrzej Niedzwiedzki seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Naji throws a hook but Niedzwiedzki blocks it.
Naji gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Niedzwiedzki lands a slapping body shot.
Naji uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Niedzwiedzki.
Niedzwiedzki lands a head kick!
Naji slips under a jab.
Niedzwiedzki throws a low kick but Naji moves out of range easily.
Naji closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Naji tries to clinch but Niedzwiedzki moves out of range.
Naji checks a leg kick.
Naji swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Naji with that takedown attempt.
Naji scores with a nice head shot.
Good work by Naji as he checks the leg kick.
Naji fails with a takedown attempt.
Niedzwiedzki scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Naji takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Naji throws a hook but Niedzwiedzki blocks it.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Naji checks a leg kick.
Niedzwiedzki attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Naji is looking to clinch.
A solid leg kick lands there for Niedzwiedzki.
Naji connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Niedzwiedzki defending well as Naji loads up on a big left hand.
Naji lands a lovely overhand right.
An inside leg kick from Niedzwiedzki misses.
Naji misses with a hook.
Niedzwiedzki throws a leg kick that is checked

and Naji counters by clinching up.
Niedzwiedzki is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Naji is defending well for now.
Naji is trying to break the clinch but Niedzwiedzki has him pressed against the cage.
Niedzwiedzki misses with a hook to the ribs.
Naji looking for a takedown.
Naji changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Niedzwiedzki fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Naji throws a hook but Niedzwiedzki blocks it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Niedzwiedzki lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Naji is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Niedzwiedzki throws a leg kick but Naji sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Naji misses with an uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrzej Niedzwiedzki showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Andrzej Niedzwiedzki'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. This is the final round!

Niedzwiedzki throws a low kick but Naji avoids it.
A slapping leg kick lands for Niedzwiedzki.
Niedzwiedzki looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Niedzwiedzki looks to land a left hand but Naji moved out of range nicely.
Naji moves out of range of the leg kick from Niedzwiedzki.
Niedzwiedzki fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Naji.
Naji shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Niedzwiedzki but Niedzwiedzki pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A nice combination there by Niedzwiedzki.

It looks like Abdul Rashid Naji has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Niedzwiedzki lands a nice leg kick that just misses Naji's sensitive parts.
Naji checks a low kick from Niedzwiedzki.
Niedzwiedzki takes one to the chin there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Niedzwiedzki moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Naji stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Niedzwiedzki.
Naji has his takedown stuffed
and Niedzwiedzki counters with a big head kick but Naji shrugs it off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Niedzwiedzki feints and then cracks Naji's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Naji down.
Naji takes a jab right on the kisser.
Naji takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Naji takes one to the side of the head.
Niedzwiedzki chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Niedzwiedzki fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Naji stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Niedzwiedzki.
That kick from Niedzwiedzki tenderised Naji's leg. Naji is trying to keep his angry face on.
A lazy left from Niedzwiedzki finds it's target.

Niedzwiedzki cracks Naji with a big right hand that sends him to the floor! Naji looks wobbly but he's sprung back up to his feet straight away… can Niedzwiedzki finish him?

Naji is rocked!
Niedzwiedzki fails with an attempt to clinch.
Oh Naji is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Naji checks a leg kick.
Naji seems to have got his legs back now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Niedzwiedzki moves in looking to clinch but Naji pushes him off.
The fighters circling - Niedzwiedzki throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Niedzwiedzki connects with a right hand. Naji shakes it off.
Naji throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Niedzwiedzki tries to clinch but Naji moves out of range.
Naji fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Naji checks the leg kick nicely there.
A big right from Niedzwiedzki misses.
Naji checks a leg kick nicely.
A chopping leg kick lands by Niedzwiedzki.
Naji changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Niedzwiedzki tries to avoid it but Naji manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Niedzwiedzki to the ground. Niedzwiedzki escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Abdul Rashid Naji. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Niedzwiedzki buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

Niedzwiedzki gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Niedzwiedzki.
A short right from Niedzwiedzki on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Niedzwiedzki misses with a punch on the inside.
Niedzwiedzki lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Naji misses with a hook from the clinch.
Naji throws a punch but it's blocked by Niedzwiedzki.
Niedzwiedzki lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Naji.
Niedzwiedzki lands an uppercut.
A short left from Niedzwiedzki.
Naji's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Niedzwiedzki fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Niedzwiedzki doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Niedzwiedzki.
Niedzwiedzki lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Naji has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Niedzwiedzki clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Niedzwiedzki looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Niedzwiedzki has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Niedzwiedzki showing good submission defense here.
Naji struggling to land strikes to the head as Niedzwiedzki covers up.
Naji throwing wild punches that miss their target.
Niedzwiedzki trying to control but not successfully.
Niedzwiedzki avoids the strikes from Naji.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Niedzwiedzki wants to escape the position.
Niedzwiedzki covering up well under a series of strikes from Naji.
Niedzwiedzki tries to escape but Naji has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andrzej Niedzwiedzki comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Niedzwiedzki has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 28:30
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 28:29
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andrzej Niedzwiedzki!
Andrzej Niedzwiedzki thanked the fans post fight for their support.