PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Damian Nitschke (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Adam Yauch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Yauch has chosen Fight For Your Right To Party as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Nitschke
vs
Yauch

181 cm
39
184 lbs
35 - 25 - 1

184 cm
33
179 lbs
28 - 15 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Sun-Tzu

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 35 - 25 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Damian Nitschke!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 15 - 0, fighting out of London, Adam Yauch!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, John Mangel and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nitschke throws a lazy head kick
and Yauch counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Yauch lands a nice hook to Nitschke's body. Nitschke takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Nitschke scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
A big right from Nitschke misses.
Yauch takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Nitschke feints and then cracks Yauch's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Yauch down.
Yauch with a hook.

It looks like Damian Nitschke has been cut.
Nitschke lands an overhand right.
Yauch scores with a hook to the body. Nitschke takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Nitschke misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Yauch.
Yauch tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nitschke dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
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!
Yauch avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Nitschke closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Nitschke lands in his opponent's guard.
Nitschke scoring with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yauch has control of Nitschke's left arm, preventing Nitschke from doing any damage.
Nitschke wants to control from the top but Yauch keeps moving.
Yauch keeping full guard, as Nitschke tries to pass.
Nitschke throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Yauch works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Yauch has his hands on Nitschke's head, controlling the position.
We've been hearing good reports from Nitschke's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Yauch keeping moving, preventing Nitschke from controlling successfully.
Nitschke keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Yauch's head.
Yauch 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.
Yauch keeping moving, preventing Nitschke from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Nitschke in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Yauch trying to control the position.
Nitschke throwing strikes but missing.
Nitschke postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Nitschke wants to control from the top but Yauch keeps moving.
Nitschke stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Yauch swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Nitschke trying to control the position from guard on top but Yauch is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nitschke has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Nitschke throws a strike but Yauch rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nitschke is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Yauch is aware though and is defending well.
Yauch advances position into side control!
Nitschke is looking to reverse the position.
Yauch is staying tight to Nitschke's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Nitschke gets back to half guard.
Nitschke wants to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Yauch in particular looking to stall.
Nitschke is trying to control but can't.
Nitschke is pressing down on Yauch's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nitschke is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Yauch is aware though and is defending well.

Nitschke working for a triangle but Yauch defends it easily.
Yauch trying to control the position from guard on top but Nitschke is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Yauch controls from within his opponent's guard.
Yauch slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Nitschke manages to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Damian Nitschke dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Damian Nitschke's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Yauch uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nitschke.
Nitschke tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Yauch throws the left hand but Nitschke avoids the punch easily.
Nitschke lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Nitschke fakes the leg kick and cracks Yauch in the body.
Yauch misses the shot to the body.
Nitschke comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Yauch misses with an uppercut. Nitschke saw that one coming.
Nitschke appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Nitschke is looking to clinch.
Nitschke is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Yauch can do to turn this around?
Yauch scores with a kick to the midsection.
Yauch uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Nitschke.
Yauch fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yauch bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Nitschke walks into a straight right hand from Yauch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nitschke tries to close the distance and clinch but Yauch swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Yauch lands a jab-cross combination.
Adam Yauch seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nitschke blocks a head kick by Yauch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nitschke tries to land a body kick
and Yauch counters with a nice uppercut.
Damian Nitschke seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A lazy left from Yauch finds it's target.
Nitschke lands a head shot.
Nitschke jabs at Yauch's body.
Yauch throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Yauch throws a lazy right hand but Nitschke sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nitschke goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Nitschke on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Yauch. Yauch obviously looking to wear him down.
Nitschke throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Yauch scores with a hook to the body. Nitschke takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nitschke scores with a crisp jab that stopped Yauch in his tracks.
Nitschke scores with a body shot.
Yauch is breathing heavily.
Nitschke clobbers Yauch with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Yauch throws a leg kick but Nitschke checks it.
Yauch gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Nitschke swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A nice side step and Yauch releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yauch lands a really nice looking cross but Nitschke seems unphased.
A jab from Nitschke misses.
Nitschke misses with a body punch
enabling Yauch to counter with a crisp jab.
Yauch cracks Nitschke with an open hand slap.
Nitschke fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Yauch manages to avoid it.
Nitschke thuds a left hand into Yauch's body.

Yauch gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Yauch manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Yauch takes a kick to the side of the head.
Nitschke throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nitschke sizes up Yauch with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Yauch works the jab nicely.
The fight stays on the outside here - Nitschke looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nitschke doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Yauch counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
A jab from Yauch misses.
Nice sprawl there from Yauch as Nitschke shoots in.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Yauch!
Nitschke moves out of range of the body kick.
Nitschke attempts a counter takedown but Yauch avoids it well and moves away.
Nitschke throws a nice inside leg kick.
Nitschke avoids the body shot from Yauch.

Nitschke has managed to clinch.
Nitschke lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Yauch backwards.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Nitschke.

Yauch's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nitschke tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Yauch was well out of range. Poor timing from Nitschke.
Yauch bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Yauch swats away the attempt to clinch by Nitschke.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yauch pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Yauch throws out a loose jab but Nitschke uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nitschke's jab looks to have found its range, popping Yauch under the eye.
Nitschke scores with a jab. Yauch acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Yauch lands a nice leg kick that just misses Nitschke's sensitive parts.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Yauch, right into the meat.
Yauch throws the left hand but Nitschke avoids the punch easily.
A head kick misses from Nitschke.
Nitschke bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A chopping leg kick lands by Nitschke.
Nitschke throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nitschke tries to close the distance and clinch up but Yauch swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Yauch throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Yauch fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nitschke manages to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Adam Yauch will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Damian Nitschke's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Nitschke wants to clinch.
Yauch checks a leg kick nicely.
Nitschke lands a front kick.
Nitschke moves out of range of the strikes.
Nitschke throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Yauch throws a low kick but Nitschke avoids it.
Nitschke misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Yauch.

Nitschke closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Nitschke is chipping away with strikes.
Yauch takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Yauch is looking for a sweep.
Yauch defending against the ground and pound.
Nitschke creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Yauch sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Nitschke sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Yauch is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nitschke in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Sloppy strikes there by Nitschke.
The referee asks Nitschke politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Nitschke prefers to stall for the moment though.
Yauch is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Nitschke throws an elbow but Yauch slips to the side and avoids it well.
Yauch manages to get back to half guard.
Nitschke winds up and cracks Yauch with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Nitschke is nestled in close to Yauch, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Nitschke throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nice strikes from Nitschke there.
Yauch desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Yauch is trying to maintain the position but Nitschke is very close to passing his half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nitschke working the head and body with strikes.
Nice strikes from Nitschke there.
Nitschke lands with a punch from half guard.
Nitschke working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Nitschke not doing much here.
Yauch is looking for a sweep. Nitschke is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Yauch is controlling Nitschke's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Nitschke sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Yauch defending well though.
Nitschke throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nitschke thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Damian Nitschke overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Nitschke not doing much here.
Yauch pushes Nitschke off looking to stand but Nitschke dives back in and keeps control.
Nitschke scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Nitschke slips a nice elbow through Yauch's hands, connecting with Yauch's forehead.
Yauch on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Nitschke working over Yauch with some ground and pound. Yauch looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Yauch avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Nitschke.
Nitschke not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Yauch is looking for a sweep. Nitschke is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Nitschke is thwarting Yauch's attempts to control the position.
Nitschke throwing shots but Yauch is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nitschke trying to control from half guard but Yauch is working away.
Nitschke misses with a head shot. Yauch uses the momentum to regain guard.
Nitschke postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Yauch is trying to control the position but Nitschke postures up.
Nitschke wants to control from the top but Yauch keeps moving.
Yauch preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nitschke working some strikes from top position.
Nitschke throws an elbow that misses. Yauch uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Nitschke's guard. Nice move by Yauch!

Yauch trying to control but Nitschke is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Damian Nitschke clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Damian Nitschke's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Yauch blocks a head kick by Nitschke.
A jab from Yauch does it's job there.
Nitschke ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Yauch moves away.
Nitschke thows a leg kick but Yauch checks it
and Yauch counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nitschke is looking to wear down Yauch with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Nitschke lands with a kick to the ribs.
A head kick misses from Nitschke.
Yauch throws a leg kick which misses Nitschke's front leg but catches the back leg as Nitschke tries to avoid it.
Nitschke misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Yauch lunges at Nitschke with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Nitschke's hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nitschke looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Nitschke lands the left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yauch works Nitschke's body with a nice hook.
Yauch throws a body shot but no joy.
Yauch lands with a right hand.
Nitschke lands a nice looking body shot.
Yauch uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nitschke.
Nitschke lands a jab to Yauch's midsection.
Nitschke misses with an uppercut.
Nitschke tries to score a power double leg takedown but Yauch sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Nitschke somewhat.
Yauch is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Nitschke with a body shot.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Damian Nitschke. That's going to take a lot out of him.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Nitschke throws a head kick but Yauch moves out of range.
A jab lands there for Nitschke.
Yauch jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Sloppy strikes from Yauch. Those never looked like landing.
Yauch throws an overhand right that lands on Nitschke's shoulder, as Nitschke tries to avoid the shot.
Nitschke changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nitschke changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Yauch looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Yauch tries to bench press Nitschke off him but Nitschke keeps the position.
Nitschke working the ground and pound but Yauch is defending the strikes.
Nitschke creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Yauch sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Yauch is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Nitschke is trying to ground and pound but Yauch uses the momentary lack of control by Nitschke to regain half guard.
Yauch avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Nitschke.
Nitschke missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Nitschke working the head and body with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yauch wants to get back to full guard.
Yauch has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Nitschke is working away from the top position though.
Yauch moves into full guard.
Nitschke throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Yauch works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Yauch preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Nitschke trying to control the position from guard on top but Yauch is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nitschke accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Yauch looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nitschke accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Nitschke landing some decent shots from guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nitschke lands a couple of elbows.
Nitschke lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Nitschke scoring with punches to the head and body.
Nitschke throws a big elbow that misses.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Nitschke's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Nitschke working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Nitschke with a flurry of punches that miss.
Nitschke trying to control but Yauch is working from the bottom.
Nitschke with a flurry of punches that miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Damian Nitschke will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Damian Nitschke'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!

Yauch throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Nitschke sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Nitschke swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Nitschke misses with a head kick.
Nitschke misses with a hook.
Yauch misses with a jab, cross combination.
Yauch takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?

Nitschke gets a double leg takedown into Yauch's guard.

Yauch has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Nitschke is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Yauch lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Nitschke tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Yauch's elbow.
Nitschke lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Yauch is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Nitschke stalling the fight.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Nitschke as Yauch tries to tie him up.
Nitschke misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nitschke trying to stall but Yauch improves his position.
Yauch lands a body shot.
Nitschke wants to stall.
Nitschke lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Nitschke swings wildly with an uppercut but Yauch uses good head movement to avoid it.
Yauch is looking to break free of the clinch but Nitschke has double underhooks.
Yauch blocks an uppercut.
Nitschke misses with a short punch on the inside.

Nitschke has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Yauch clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Yauch turns into Nitschke and is now in his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yauch seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Nitschke working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Yauch has passed into half guard!
Yauch tries to pass to full mount but Nitschke defends it.
Yauch wants to control but Nitschke is keeping him busy.
My spies in Canadian Top Team inform me that Yauch has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!

Nitschke is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Yauch pulls his head out easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Yauch slows the pace down in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nitschke trying to hold on to Yauch's head to control him but Yauch postures up.
Nitschke regains full guard. Nicely done.
Yauch tries to free his leg and advance position but Nitschke is retaining full guard.
Yauch preventing the sweep.
Nitschke is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Adam Yauch has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nitschke has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Yauch has passed into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Nitschke is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Yauch's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Nitschke tries to get to full guard but Yauch has control of the leg.

Nitschke looking for submissions off his back.
Yauch looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Nitschke is looking for a sweep. Yauch is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Yauch not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Adam Yauch.
I think Nitschke has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 48:47
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 48:47
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Damian Nitschke!
Damian Nitschke retains his welterweight title!
As Damian Nitschke got his breath back, he grabbed the microphone and managed to blurt out the following: Thanks to everyone that supported me when I was going through rough times. I'm back, baby!'.