PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between John Haigh (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nicodemo Romero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Haigh comes to the cage accompanied by Prayer of the Refugee by Rise Against . Romero has chosen Lords Of Salem as his entrance music. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Haigh
vs
Romero

170 cm
29
158 lbs
21 - 16 - 0

177 cm
28
160 lbs
14 - 10 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Big Bear Nutrition 160Q

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 16 - 0, fighting out of New York, John Haigh!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Nicodemo Romero!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Hirohito Nitta and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Romero moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Romero fails to land with a series of punches.
Romero throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Haigh scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Romero misses with a wild combination.
Haigh bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Romero's head backwards.

It looks like Nicodemo Romero has been cut.

Haigh drops his shoulder and cracks Romero with a huge uppercut! Romero goes down! Can Haigh finish him?
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Romero looking to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Romero wants to sweep but no luck.
Haigh sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Romero's guard.
Romero is looking to improve his position.

Haigh is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Romero defends it well.

Haigh is working for a submission of some sort.
Romero tries to roll over but Haigh keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Romero is trying to maintain the position but Haigh is very close to passing his half guard.

Haigh is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Romero has managed to free his arm - good work.
Romero is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Haigh's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Haigh's back!

Haigh fending off the submission attempt from Romero.
Haigh breaks Romero's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Haigh drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Romero dives on top into guard.

Haigh has his foot on Romero's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Romero works his way back into a safe position though.
Romero makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Haigh working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Romero doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Romero manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Haigh looking for a guillotine here but Romero defends easily.

Haigh is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Romero defends well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Haigh is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Romero defends well.
Romero is pushing down on Haigh's leg trying to pass to half guard. Haigh is fighting to maintain full guard but Romero has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haigh slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Haigh wants to sweep but no luck.
Romero looking to pass the guard.

Haigh is looking for a triangle but Romero pushes his legs off easily.
Romero content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Haigh looking to hit a scissor sweep but Romero is one step ahead there.
Romero slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Romero working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Haigh is trying to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Check out the look on Romero's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Haigh tries to bench press Romero off him but Romero keeps the position.

Romero is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Haigh has escaped the position, nice work there.
Haigh struggling a bit here.
Haigh tries to buck Romero off but Romero is having none of it.
Haigh manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Romero is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Haigh doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Romero.

Haigh is defending against the submission attempts here by Romero.
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 John Haigh will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Nicodemo Romero's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Romero misses with a wild body shot.
Haigh connects with a jab.
John Haigh is winning the standup battle so far.
Haigh lands a head shot.
Haigh paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

Romero is rocked!

That has opened up Nicodemo Romero's cut even more.
Romero throws a series of punches but Haigh avoids them all with ease.
Romero is starting to get sloppy and is letting his hands down. Haigh just took advantage and landed a stinging jab. Oh! Now a right hook, right on the button! Romero has gone limp and this one is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:19 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). John Haigh!
John Haigh really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Big Bear Nutrition 160Q logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.