PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Nwachukwu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Francois Faber (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). John Nwachukwu has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Nwachukwu
vs
Faber

189 cm
22
205 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

182 cm
28
215 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Good knees
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, John Nwachukwu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Francois Faber!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Vladimir Khabensky and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Faber keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Nwachukwu throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A head kick misses from Nwachukwu.
Faber moves in looking to clinch but Nwachukwu pushes him off.
Faber defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Nwachukwu.
A jab lands there for Faber.
Faber blocks a head kick by Nwachukwu.
Nwachukwu misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nwachukwu throws a sloppy head kick and Faber moves out of range easily.
Nwachukwu misses with an attempted mid kick.
Faber misses with a low kick.
A head kick by Nwachukwu misses
and Faber counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Nwachukwu is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Nwachukwu throws a head kick but Faber moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nwachukwu lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Faber moves out of range as Nwachukwu strikes.
Decent striking displayed by Faber there.
Faber scores with a leg kick.
Faber defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Nwachukwu.
John Nwachukwu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nwachukwu will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Nwachukwu. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Faber scores with a push kick.
Faber throws an overhand right that lands on Nwachukwu's shoulder, as Nwachukwu tries to avoid the shot.
Nwachukwu tries to work over Faber's front leg with a kick but Faber checks it.
Faber is looking to slow Nwachukwu down with leg kicks.

Nwachukwu fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Faber, pushing him back against the cage.
Faber throws an elbow but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nwachukwu misses with a knee strike.
Faber missing with knees to the body.
Nwachukwu tries a knee to the head but Faber blocks it.
Nwachukwu throws a punch but it's blocked by Faber.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nwachukwu blocks an elbow strike from Faber.
Faber throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Nwachukwu blocks an elbow strike.
Nwachukwu fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nwachukwu avoids a wild elbow strike from Faber.
Nwachukwu tries a knee to the head but Faber blocks it.
Nwachukwu tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Nwachukwu tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Faber blocks a body shot from Nwachukwu.
A head punch on the inside from Nwachukwu fails to land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Faber struggles to land a body shot inside as Nwachukwu controls his hands.
Faber throws an elbow but it misses.
Faber fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Faber throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Faber misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Nwachukwu tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Faber avoids it.
Faber on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Faber is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Nwachukwu is defending well for now.
Faber looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Nwachukwu stalls.
Nwachukwu lands with a short punch from the clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Faber just misses with a elbow thrown towards Nwachukwu's brow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nwachukwu avoids a wild elbow strike from Faber.
Nwachukwu throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Faber blocks it with crossed arms.
Nwachukwu looking to throw knees to the head but Faber is blocking nicely.
Nwachukwu looking to throw knees to the head but Faber is blocking nicely.
Faber looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Faber throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Nwachukwu with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Faber avoiding damage as Nwachukwu throws knees to the body.
Faber avoiding damage as Nwachukwu throws knees to the body.
Faber creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nwachukwu blocks an elbow strike from Faber.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Faber just misses with a elbow thrown towards Nwachukwu's brow.
Nwachukwu throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Faber blocks it with crossed arms.
Nwachukwu pressing his opponent against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Francois Faber will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Nwachukwu tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Faber circles away from the clinch attempt.
Faber swats away the attempt to clinch by Nwachukwu.
Faber wants to clinch.
Nwachukwu tries a head kick but it misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Faber lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Nwachukwu tries to score with a low kick but Faber moves his leg out of the way.
Francois Faber is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Faber walks into a left hand.
Nwachukwu throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Nwachukwu fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Nwachukwu throws a head kick that misses
and Nwachukwu takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Nwachukwu fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Faber manages to avoid it.
Nwachukwu tries to clinch up.

Faber has managed to clinch.
Nwachukwu misses with a hook to the ribs.
Faber creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Nwachukwu connects with a nasty looking knee right to Faber's face.

It looks like Francois Faber has been cut.
Nwachukwu tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Faber's elbow.
Faber misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Nwachukwu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nwachukwu lands a nice uppercut.
Nwachukwu struggles to land a body shot inside as Faber controls his hands.
Faber pushes off an throws an elbow but Nwachukwu leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
The referee calls for Nwachukwu to work.
Faber throws a punch but it's blocked by Nwachukwu.
Nwachukwu connects with a knee to the head.
Nwachukwu avoids the elbow strike from Faber, against the cage.
Nwachukwu putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Faber in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Nwachukwu tries a knee to the head but Faber blocks it.
Nwachukwu blocks an elbow strike.
Faber managing to block the knees to the body from Nwachukwu.
Faber avoiding damage as Nwachukwu throws knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Faber just misses with a elbow thrown towards Nwachukwu's brow.
Nwachukwu tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Nwachukwu controlling the action here for a moment.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Faber.
Nwachukwu using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Faber has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Faber takes a knee right on the jaw!
Nwachukwu tries to land a knee to the head but Faber blocks with his arms.
Faber tries to land knees in the clinch but Nwachukwu avoids the damage to the body.
Nwachukwu is working Faber over against the cage.
Nwachukwu avoids a wild elbow strike from Faber.
Nwachukwu is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Faber is defending well for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nwachukwu is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Faber is keeping busy.
Nwachukwu blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Nwachukwu tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Faber avoids it.
Nwachukwu throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Faber blocks it with crossed arms.
Nwachukwu throws a head punch that misses.
John Nwachukwu has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Faber fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nwachukwu looking to throw knees to the head but Faber is blocking nicely.
Faber pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Faber pushes Nwachukwu back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nwachukwu landing knees to the body.
Nwachukwu with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Faber pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Nwachukwu dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Francois Faber's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Faber connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Faber swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Faber lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
A head kick by Faber misses
and Nwachukwu counters with a leg kick.

Nwachukwu instigates a clinch.
Nwachukwu tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Faber fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nwachukwu is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Faber is defending well for now.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Faber just misses with a elbow thrown towards Nwachukwu's brow.
Faber creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Faber lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Nwachukwu avoids the elbow strike from Faber, against the cage.
Faber misses with some punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A knee to the head by Nwachukwu.
Faber misses with an elbow strike.
Faber misses with an elbow over the top.
Faber looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Faber pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Nwachukwu fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Faber is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Nwachukwu is defending well for now.
Faber creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Nwachukwu tries a knee to the head but Faber blocks it.
Faber misses with an elbow strike.
Nwachukwu working aggressively here.
Nwachukwu tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Nwachukwu tries a knee to the head but Faber blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nwachukwu connects with a nasty looking knee right to Faber's face.
Nwachukwu throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Faber blocks it with crossed arms.
Faber throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Faber swings wildly with an uppercut but Nwachukwu uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nwachukwu avoids a wild elbow strike from Faber.
Faber pushes off an throws an elbow but Nwachukwu leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Nwachukwu scores with a knee to the head.
Faber pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Faber tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Nwachukwu avoids it.
Nwachukwu blocking some punches.
Nwachukwu misses with a knee to the head.
A right hook to the body lands for Nwachukwu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nwachukwu is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Faber is defending well for now.
Faber tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Nwachukwu avoids it.
Nwachukwu throws a knee to the head but misses.
Faber misses with an elbow strike.
Nwachukwu swings wildly with an uppercut but Faber uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nwachukwu slows down the pace here.
Nwachukwu tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nwachukwu with a knee to the head.
Nwachukwu missing with knees to the body.
Faber throws an elbow but it's blocked.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Faber is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Nwachukwu is defending well for now.
Faber trying to land knees to the body.
Nwachukwu scores with a shoulder strike.
Nwachukwu misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Faber.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Faber creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Faber blocking some punches.
Nwachukwu missing with knees to the body.
Faber misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Nwachukwu.
Faber pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nwachukwu using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Faber has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Faber misses with a body punch.
Nwachukwu is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Faber is defending well for now.
Faber throws an elbow but it misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Francois Faber.
I think Faber 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 28:29
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Francois Faber!