PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sergio Tran (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nathan Norman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sergio Tran has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Tran
vs
Norman

221 cm
18
214 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

205 cm
25
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Sergio Tran!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Nathan Norman!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Steve Erwin and Ben Watson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tran looks to land a body kick but Norman moved away.

Tran kicks Norman off and gets to his feet.
Norman throws a head kick that misses.
As Norman looks to move away, Tran throws a big counter combo but Norman just gets out of the way.
Tran darts in looking for a takedown but Norman gets double underhooks and turns Tran into the cage.

Norman closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Tran breaks from the clinch.

Norman moves into the clinch successfully.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Norman's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Norman has taken the fight to the clinch.
Norman managing to block the knees to the body from Tran.

Norman gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Tran regains guard.
Norman controls from within his opponent's guard.
Tran is looking to stand up but Norman isn't so interested in that idea.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Norman is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Norman stands and steps away. Tran gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Tran shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Norman defends it nicely.

Norman closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Tran's guard.
Norman won't allow Tran to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Norman connects with a couple of short punches.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Norman trying to control the position from guard on top but Tran is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tran wants to sweep but no luck.
Norman really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Tran. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Tran is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Tran wants to stand but Norman is controlling the position.
Norman wants to pass the guard but Tran is keeping the position.
Tran being controlled here, momentarily.

Norman decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Tran, up you get!
Tran keeps the fight on the outside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Norman takes the fight into the clinch.

Norman drags the fight down to the ground.
Norman looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Tran trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Tran lands a couple of digs.
Norman has his hands on Tran's head, controlling the position.
Tran throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Norman can do anything to dispel that myth.
Tran throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Norman is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Norman 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.
Norman utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Norman utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Norman trying to keep a closed guard but Tran is proving a slippery customer.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Norman moves in looking to clinch but Tran pushes him off.
Tran drops down looking for a counter takedown but Norman sprawls and moves away.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Norman.

Norman shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Tran is staying active underneath Norman, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nathan Norman dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Norman wants to clinch up but Tran keeps it at a distance.

Norman feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Tran is looking to stand back up but Norman counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Tran.

Norman stops Tran from getting back to his feet.
Norman is trying to control. Tran wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Tran wants to get back to his feet.
Norman not doing much here.
Norman prevents Tran from standing back up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tran manages to get to full guard.
Tran will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Norman gets to his feet. Tran looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Norman leaves Tran with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Tran gets caught napping as Norman dives in and scores a takedown. Tran manages to retain guard.
Tran is looking to stand up but Norman isn't so interested in that idea.

Tran throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Norman's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Norman working some strikes from top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Norman wants to control from the top but Tran keeps moving.
Norman is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Norman lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Tran manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Tran fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Tran gets caught napping as Norman dives in and scores a takedown. Tran manages to retain guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Norman trying to control but Tran is working from the bottom.
Tran really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Norman engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Tran looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Norman has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Norman not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Let's hope that Norman has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Tran is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Norman is trying to control but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Tran is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Tran missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Tran seems to be working for a kimura but Norman defends the submission attempt.

Tran is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Norman has managed to free his arm - good work.
Norman wants to get back to full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Norman moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Norman has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Nathan Norman will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Tran's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Norman displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Tran.
Norman wants to counter with a clinch but Tran pushes him away.

Norman drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Tran is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Norman presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Tran wants to break free but Norman has control.
Norman lands a left hand that snaps the head of Tran backwards.
Norman landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Tran tries to circle away but Norman has him pinned against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tran tries for a takedown but Norman manages to get underhooks.

Norman breaks from the clinch.
Norman ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Tran enables Norman to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Tran manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Norman tries to free his leg and advance position but Tran is retaining full guard.
Norman controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Tran is wriggling around but Norman manages to pass to half guard.

Norman gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

Norman shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Norman was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Tran is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Norman is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
The referee warns Tran that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Norman takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tran sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Norman connects with a nice short shot to Tran's temple.
Norman performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Norman tries to pass to full mount but Tran defends it.

Norman stands up from half guard.
Tran throws a solid leg kick but Norman takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Tran.
Norman is trying to counter with his kicks.

Norman looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Tran has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Norman is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Norman breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Tran misses with a two punch combination.
Norman shapes to counter with a head kick.

Norman closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Tran to the mat! Tran manages to get full guard.
Tran is looking to stand back up but Norman counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Tran.

Tran pushes Norman off looking to stand but Norman dives back in and keeps control.
Norman content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Tran looking for submissions off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tran is trying to stand.

Norman decides to return to a standing position.

Norman closes the distance and clinches.
Tran is trying to push Norman away but Norman has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Norman has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Tran regains guard immediately.

Tran looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Norman passes into half 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!
Norman is taking a breather. Tran says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Sergio Tran has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nathan Norman is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Tran looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nathan Norman comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Norman has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Skip Squint scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Watson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nathan Norman!