PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Victor Wilhelm (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Victor Wilhelm has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Rodrigo Nogueira
vs
Wilhelm

180 cm
29
176 lbs
16 - 13 - 1

190 cm
37
188 lbs
20 - 11 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite 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 16 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Victor Wilhelm!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Aafke Stam and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wilhelm leaves Nogueira with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Nogueira shoots in and bounces Wilhelm off the ropes to secure the takedown into guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Nogueira is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Nogueira sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Wilhelm's guard.
Nogueira is pressing down on Wilhelm's thigh, looking to free his foot. Wilhelm is holding on for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wilhelm is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Nogueira looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

We're going to have a standup here because Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Nogueira lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Wilhelm circles away quickly and effectively.
Nogueira throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Wilhelm checks a low kick from Nogueira.
Wilhelm tries to bum rush Nogueira with a series of wild strikes but Nogueira uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wilhelm tries to bum rush Nogueira with a series of wild strikes but Nogueira uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Wilhelm throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Nogueira.
Nogueira throws a series of punches but Wilhelm moves out of range.
Nogueira slips a jab and a cross from Wilhelm.
Nogueira misses with a low kick as Wilhelm jumps back.
Wilhelm has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Victor Wilhelm is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nogueira throws a series of punches but Wilhelm avoids them all with ease.
A head kick misses from Wilhelm.
Wilhelm throws a big shot that misses.
Nogueira is looking to land body kicks.
Horrible takedown by Nogueira or perhaps it was just good defense by Wilhelm which made him look bad.

Nogueira fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Wilhelm sprawls well initially but Nogueira persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Wilhelm is trying to stand.

Wilhelm makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Wilhelm. No joy for Nogueira on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wilhelm throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
No joy there for Wilhelm, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Nogueira showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Wilhelm.

Wilhelm gets caught flat footed, as Nogueira shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Wilhelm looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nogueira is one step ahead there.
Nogueira wants to pass the guard but Wilhelm is keeping the position.
Wilhelm is looking to stand up but Nogueira isn't so interested in that idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Wilhelm wants to land a leg kick but Nogueira is out of range.
Wilhelm blocks the body kick.
Nogueira dodges the punch combination from Wilhelm.
Nogueira fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Wilhelm avoids it really well and circles away.
Wilhelm slips a jab and a cross from Nogueira.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Wilhelm gets caught flat footed, as Nogueira shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Wilhelm is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Wilhelm blocks the body kick.
Nogueira looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nogueira checks a leg kick nicely.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Nogueira.
Nogueira slips a jab and a cross from Wilhelm.
Nogueira shoots in for a takedown but Wilhelm shows good takedown defense.
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nogueira slips a jab and a cross from Wilhelm.
Wilhelm throws the kick towards the body but Nogueira avoids it.
Nogueira throws the kick towards the body but Wilhelm avoids it.
Wilhelm connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Nogueira tries to land a front kick but Wilhelm steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Nogueira digs a good body shot into Wilhelm's ribs.
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira is winning the standup battle so far.
Wilhelm looks to land a combination but Nogueira avoids it well.
Wilhelm has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Nogueira looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Nogueira misses with a two punch combination.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nogueira throws a front kick aimed at Wilhelm's knee but Wilhelm avoids it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nogueira shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Wilhelm eats them both and turns towards Nogueira to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Wilhelm stuffs the takedown attempt from Nogueira. Nogueira gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nogueira fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Nogueira fails with a takedown attempt.
Nogueira pivots, looking for a leg kick but Wilhelm is out of range and Nogueira settles back down.
Nogueira throws a right and a left that both miss.
Wilhelm fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

Nogueira closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Wilhelm's guard.
Nogueira pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Wilhelm is keeping the position for now.
Wilhelm is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Nogueira is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Wilhelm is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Victor Wilhelm was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Nogueira is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Wilhelm.

It looks like Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira has been cut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Wilhelm blocks the body kick.
Nice jab there from Nogueira.
Nogueira shoots in for a takedown but Wilhelm shows good takedown defense.
Wilhelm scores with a leg kick.
Wilhelm throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Wilhelm rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Nogueira moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nice takedown defense from Wilhelm. No joy for Nogueira on that attempt.

Nogueira drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nogueira trying to control the position from guard on top but Wilhelm is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nogueira trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Wilhelm looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Nogueira closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Wilhelm quickly recovers to half guard.
Nogueira performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Nogueira has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.
Nogueira lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Wilhelm circles away quickly and effectively.
Nogueira looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Wilhelm misses with a head kick.
Wilhelm rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Nogueira moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Wilhelm blocks the body kick.
Nogueira checks a leg kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nogueira misses with a low kick as Wilhelm jumps back.
No joy there for Wilhelm, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Nogueira here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Nice jab there from Wilhelm.
Wilhelm stuffs the takedown.
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 Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Nogueira fails to land with a series of punches.
Wilhelm misses with a series of wild punches.
Wilhelm has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Nogueira lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Nogueira throws a right and a left that Wilhelm avoids nicely.
Nogueira throws a body punch but Wilhelm moves out of range.
Nogueira moves away from the strike by Wilhelm.
Nice takedown defense from Wilhelm. No joy for Nogueira on that attempt.

Nogueira gets the takedown into side control.
Wilhelm is trying to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wilhelm pushes Nogueira away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Nogueira gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
A lull in the action here as Nogueira stalls from top position.
Wilhelm is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira just wasn't active enough.
A right-left combo lands from Wilhelm.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nogueira blocks a leg kick.
Nogueira looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Wilhelm looks to land a combination. Nogueira sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Wilhelm throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Wilhelm misses with a jab, cross combination.

Wilhelm gets caught napping as Nogueira dives in and scores a takedown. Wilhelm manages to retain guard.
Wilhelm takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Wilhelm is trying to control the position from the bottom.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Victor Wilhelm hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Wilhelm swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Nogueira dives in and scores a takedown into Wilhelm's guard.
Nogueira wants to pass the guard but Wilhelm is keeping the position.
Nogueira controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

We're going to have a standup here because Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Wilhelm avoids a kick to the body.
Wilhelm slips a jab and a cross from Nogueira.
Some wild striking there from Wilhelm.
Nogueira fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nogueira shoots in looking for a takedown. Wilhelm tries to sprawl out of it but Nogueira keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Wilhelm manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Wilhelm will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Nogueira throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Wilhelm.
Victor Wilhelm has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wilhelm cracks Nogueira with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Nogueira shoots for a takedown but Wilhelm saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Nogueira dodges the punch combination from Wilhelm.
A nice combination there by Wilhelm.
Nogueira fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Wilhelm avoids it really well and circles away.
Wilhelm throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Nogueira looks for a takedown but Wilhelm sprawls well.
Wilhelm moves out of range of the body kick.

Nogueira dives in and scores a takedown into Wilhelm's guard.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Wilhelm uses the ropes to get back to his feet.
Wilhelm works Nogueira's body with a nice hook.

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 Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Nogueira, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 30:27
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira!
A less than humble Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.