PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mark Ground (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Akachi Ndye (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Akachi Ndye will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Ground
vs
Ndye

165 cm
25
155 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

197 cm
25
145 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
KO power

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Likes musicals

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mark Ground!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Akachi Ndye!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Steve Smith and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ndye shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Ground counters with a nice double leg into side control. Ndye won't be happy with that.
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.
Ndye is trying to escape the position but Ground is controlling the position.
Ndye is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Ground has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Ndye tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ground moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
This is a sustained period of stalling by Ground.
Ndye tries to improve position but can't.
Ndye seems a little lost for a moment, as Ground dominates the positioning.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ndye doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Ground moves into the clinch.
I was talking to Ground's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Ndye avoiding damage as Ground throws knees to the body.
Ndye wants a takedown.
Mark Ground has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akachi Ndye.
Ground can't get the takedown.
Ground wants a takedown.
Ground tries a knee to the head but Ndye blocks it.
Ground wants a takedown but no success here.
Ndye has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Ground avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ground is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Ndye is defending well.
The referee calls for Ground to work.
Ndye is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Ground tries for a takedown but Ndye manages to get underhooks.
Ndye has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Ground avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Ndye drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Ground gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Ground tries a knee to the head but Ndye blocks it.

Ground has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Ndye clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Ground biding his time, looking for the opening.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Ground has his opponent's back but Ndye is looking to stand. He manages to get to his feet and shakes off Ground.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Ground dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Ground closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Ndye tries to escape back to his feet but Ground has kept hold of him... Oh, now he's got Ndye's back and is looking for the choke... Is it? Is it sunk in? YES! Ndye is tapping! Ground saw the opportunity and took it - ruthless!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:26 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Mark Ground!
After the fight, Mark Ground was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.