PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rico Suave (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Nygard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mike Nygard is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Suave
vs
Nygard

190 cm
25
185 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

180 cm
26
190 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Rico Suave!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mike Nygard!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Alec Ball and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nygard connects with a solid leg kick.
Suave checks a low kick from Nygard.
Nygard moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

It looks like Rico Suave has been cut.
Suave throws a sloppy head kick and Nygard moves out of range easily.
Nygard tries to close the distance and clinch but Suave swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Suave throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Suave looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nygard swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Nygard takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Suave stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Nygard throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Suave misses with the combination.
Nygard avoids the head kick by Suave.
Suave misses with a wild combination.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nygard shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Suave throws a low kick, looking for Nygard's leg but Nygard calmly moves out of range.
Suave throws out a loose jab but Nygard uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nygard shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Suave as he avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nygard darts in and clinches Suave up against the cage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Nygard.
Nygard keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Suave's efforts to push away.
Suave wants a takedown.
Suave is breathing heavily.
A right handed body shot lands from Nygard.

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

Nygard closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Suave did well to prevent Nygard getting side control.
Nygard prevents Suave from improving his position.
Nygard is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nygard working Suave over with strikes.
Nygard throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Nygard thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Suave's head.
Suave looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nygard sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Suave defending well though.
Nygard thows a huge punch but Suave dodges it nicely.
Suave blocking the ground and pound attempt from Nygard.
Nygard scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Nygard is nestled in close to Suave, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Nygard scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Nygard missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Suave blocking the ground and pound attempt from Nygard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Nygard lands a nice short elbow.
Nygard looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Nygard missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Nygard not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Nygard takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Suave is looking to control Nygard's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Suave avoid being mounted?
Nygard missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Nygard working over Suave with some ground and pound. Suave looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Nygard tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Suave.
Nygard lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Nygard drops an elbow to the side of Suave's head.
Nygard thows a huge punch but Suave dodges it nicely.
Nygard landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Suave is trying to get back to full guard.
Nygard missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nygard lands strikes from half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nygard throwing shots but Suave is blocking nicely.
Ground and pound from Nygard.
Nygard scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Nygard is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nygard not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Suave tries to roll over but Nygard keeps him under control.
Suave is trying to stand back up but Nygard is controlling him
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nygard throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Suave trying to control but Nygard postures up.
Suave keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Nygard dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rico Suave's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Nygard gets a double leg takedown into Suave's guard.
Nygard must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nygard accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Nygard being controlled here momentarily.
Nygard throwing strikes but missing.
Suave is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Suave is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Nygard dives into side control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nygard is chipping away with strikes.
Suave takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Suave takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Suave wants to control but Nygard postures up.
Suave sneaks back into half guard.

Nygard is working for a kimura but Suave is defending it quite comfortably.
Suave is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Nygard sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Suave defending well though.
Nygard looks to land a strike but Suave avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Nygard throws a strike but Suave rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Nygard is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nygard wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Suave prevents Nygard from getting back to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nygard is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Nygard has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Suave has passed into side control.
Nygard really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Suave. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
You can see the frustration on Nygard's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nygard wants to get back to his feet but Suave drags him back down.
Nygard is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Suave is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Suave wants to control the pace but Nygard is squirming around nicely.
Nygard is desperately trying to improve his position but Suave has a good base and remains in mount.
Poor strikes thrown by Suave there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Nygard avoids a series of strikes thrown by Suave.
Nygard is trying to stand but he's not in a good position to be doing that! Suave has taken his back!

Suave is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nygard staying busy and making it hard for Suave to control.
Nygard controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.

Suave is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Nygard rolls, trying to escape but Suave keeps control of the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nygard is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Nygard trying to control the hands but Suave breaks the grip.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Nygard showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Rico Suave's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Suave is looking to land body kicks.
Nygard tries for a takedown but Suave sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Nygard shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Suave as he jumps to the side.
No joy there for Suave, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Suave throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Nygard.
Suave swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A chopping leg kick lands by Nygard.
Nygard fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Suave is out of range.
Mike Nygard seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nygard wants to clinch.
Nygard avoids a kick to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nygard throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Suave throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Suave looks for the body kick but Nygard saw that one coming.
Suave checks a leg kick.

Nygard forces Suave back against the cage and clinches.
Suave is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Nygard is defending well.
Suave tries to break the clinch but Nygard is controlling the position.
Nygard stalling in the clinch.
Nygard has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nygard can't get the takedown.
Rico Suave has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Nygard.

Nygard breaks the clinch.
Nygard lands a jab-cross combination.
Suave throws a body kick that misses.
Suave throws a sloppy head kick and Nygard moves out of range easily.
Suave tries to land a leg kick but Nygard saw it coming and moves away.
Suave defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Nygard.
Nygard checks a low kick from Suave.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nygard misses with a two punch combination.
Suave swinging wildly here.
Nygard tries to close the distance and clinch up but Suave swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nygard misses with a low kick as Suave jumps back.
Suave tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nygard was well out of range. Poor timing from Suave.

Nygard closes the distance and clinches.

Nygard breaks from the clinch.
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!
Nygard misses with a body shot
and Suave counters with a three punch combo that has Nygard backing up. Nygard nods at Suave to acknowledge the strikes.
Suave uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nygard.
Suave pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nygard stuns Suave with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
A jab from Nygard does it's job there.
A head kick misses from Nygard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nygard throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Suave's waist but Suave gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Nygard off to one side.
Suave misses with a two punch combination.
Suave tries to land a front kick but Nygard steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Nygard clinches up with Suave and pushes him back against the cage.
Suave is trying to force a seperation but Nygard has the dominant position.
Suave is trying to break free.
Suave is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Nygard is defending well for now.
Suave on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Nygard pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A head kick misses from Nygard.
Suave walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Nygard checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Suave tries a head kick but it misses.
Rico Suave is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nygard finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Suave avoids a punch combination nicely.
Nygard doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Nygard moves out of range of the body kick.
The crowd cheers as Nygard lands an impressive looking overhand right. Suave doesn't seem phased though.
Suave throws a head kick but Nygard moves out of range.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Nygard!
Suave catches Nygard with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Suave throws a body punch but Nygard moves out of range.
Nygard misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nygard keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nygard tries to land a leg kick but Suave saw it coming and moves away.
Rico Suave has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mike Nygard is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Suave thows a body shot but no joy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Nygard comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Nygard 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 27:30
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Nygard!