PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kenta Yuudai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Yuudai
vs
Rodrigo Nogueira

195 cm
37
275 lbs
28 - 13 - 0

191 cm
39
260 lbs
30 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Spartan Nutrition
Sydney Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 28 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Kenta Yuudai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Bruno Hogan and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yuudai fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Yuudai gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Still in the clinch, Yuudai scores with a nice short uppercut.

It looks like Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira has been cut.
Rodrigo Nogueira has Yuudai pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Yuudai manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Rodrigo Nogueira blocking some punches.
Yuudai throws a punch but it's blocked by Rodrigo Nogueira.
Rodrigo Nogueira tries for a takedown. No joy.

Yuudai escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Yuudai closes the distance but Rodrigo Nogueira moves to the side

and Rodrigo Nogueira counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Yuudai!

Yuudai bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Yuudai tries to clinch up.
Rodrigo Nogueira changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yuudai tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Yuudai landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Rodrigo Nogueira looks winded!
Yuudai scores with a nice hook to the head.

Yuudai jumps into guard, dragging Rodrigo Nogueira to the mat.
Rodrigo Nogueira stopping the sweep attempt from Yuudai.
Rodrigo Nogueira throwing strikes from guard but Yuudai blocks nicely.
Yuudai trying to control the position here.
Yuudai wants to sweep but no luck.
Rodrigo Nogueira working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Rodrigo Nogueira loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Rodrigo Nogueira stopping the sweep attempt from Yuudai.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yuudai is looking to stand up but Rodrigo Nogueira isn't so interested in that idea.
Rodrigo Nogueira throws a big right hand that misses.
Yuudai is controlling Rodrigo Nogueira's posture.
Rodrigo Nogueira postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Rodrigo Nogueira postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Rodrigo Nogueira working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Rodrigo Nogueira stays in close to Yuudai's body and controls the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Yuudai looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Rodrigo Nogueira!
Rodrigo Nogueira struggling a bit here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Yuudai looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Yuudai lands a decent elbow from side control.
Yuudai prevents Rodrigo Nogueira from escaping the position.

Yuudai decides to stand back up.

Yuudai gets the takedown into side control.

Yuudai tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Yuudai is looking to take a break and control but Rodrigo Nogueira is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigo Nogueira wants to control but Yuudai postures up.

Yuudai stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Yuudai clinches with his opponent.
Yuudai scores with an uppercut up the middle.

The cut above Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Yuudai struggles to land a body shot inside as Rodrigo Nogueira controls his hands.
Yuudai makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Rodrigo Nogueira goes for a takedown in the clinch but Yuudai prevents it.
Kenta Yuudai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yuudai has a couple of punches blocked by Rodrigo Nogueira.
Yuudai scores a nice knee to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenta Yuudai dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Yuudai clinches up with Rodrigo Nogueira and pushes him back against the cage.

Yuudai pulls guard successfully.
Yuudai is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Rodrigo Nogueira throws an elbow that misses. Yuudai uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Rodrigo Nogueira's guard. Nice move by Yuudai!

Rodrigo Nogueira throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Yuudai would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Yuudai got a little sloppy there for a moment and Rodrigo Nogueira has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Yuudai has managed to get both his arms back between Rodrigo Nogueira's legs - danger averted.
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.
Yuudai landing with the ground and pound.

Rodrigo Nogueira looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Yuudai decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Yuudai is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rodrigo Nogueira can do to turn this around?
Yuudai throws a nice looking combination but Rodrigo Nogueira bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Yuudai dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Rodrigo Nogueira. That did some damage!
Yuudai tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rodrigo Nogueira swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Yuudai tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Rodrigo Nogueira manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Yuudai misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Rodrigo Nogueira counters with a single leg into guard. Yuudai didn't expect that.
Rodrigo Nogueira has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Rodrigo Nogueira with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigo Nogueira postures up in Yuudai's guard and throws a big left but Yuudai blocks it.
Rodrigo Nogueira throws a big right hand that misses.
Rodrigo Nogueira wants to control from the top but Yuudai keeps moving.
Rodrigo Nogueira with a flurry of punches that miss.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rodrigo Nogueira accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Rodrigo Nogueira pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Yuudai is keeping the position for now.
Yuudai utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Rodrigo Nogueira looking to sit in guard and control but Yuudai gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Rodrigo Nogueira had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Yuudai defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yuudai trying to control but Rodrigo Nogueira is working from the bottom.
Yuudai wants to stand but Rodrigo Nogueira has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Rodrigo Nogueira looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Yuudai trying to control but Rodrigo Nogueira is working from the bottom.
Yuudai passes into half guard.

Yuudai stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

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.
Yuudai is looking to clinch but Rodrigo Nogueira is avoiding it.
Rodrigo Nogueira feints the counter takedown.
Yuudai tries to clinch but Rodrigo Nogueira is having none of it.
Yuudai tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rodrigo Nogueira paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rodrigo Nogueira is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
A swing and a miss from Yuudai.
Yuudai falls off balance throwing a combination

and Rodrigo Nogueira counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Rodrigo Nogueira.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rodrigo Nogueira trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Yuudai avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Rodrigo Nogueira stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Yuudai swivels though and keeps the full guard.
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 Kenta Yuudai will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Rodrigo Nogueira dodges the punch combination from Yuudai.
Rodrigo Nogueira feints the counter takedown.
Rodrigo Nogueira swats away the attempt to clinch by Yuudai.
Rodrigo Nogueira with the counter takedown but Yuudai avoids it easily.
Yuudai shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Rodrigo Nogueira eats them both and turns towards Yuudai to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yuudai swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Rodrigo Nogueira.
Yuudai tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Rodrigo Nogueira manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Yuudai misses with the body kick

and Rodrigo Nogueira counters with a nice double leg into side control. Yuudai won't be happy with that.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yuudai is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
The ground and pound from Rodrigo Nogueira seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Yuudai is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Rodrigo Nogueira is putting a hurting on Yuudai here, landing some big shots from side control.

It looks like Kenta Yuudai has been cut.

Rodrigo Nogueira wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Yuudai, who protects the arm well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Yuudai manages to get back to half guard.
Kenta Yuudai overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Yuudai blocking the ground and pound attempt from Rodrigo Nogueira.
Rodrigo Nogueira wants to advance to full mount but Yuudai doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Yuudai keeping full guard, as Rodrigo Nogueira tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yuudai seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Rodrigo Nogueira working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Yuudai is looking to stand up but Rodrigo Nogueira isn't so interested in that idea.
Yuudai keeping full guard, as Rodrigo Nogueira tries to pass.

Rodrigo Nogueira thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Yuudai trying to keep a closed guard but Rodrigo Nogueira is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigo Nogueira throws an elbow that misses. Yuudai uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Rodrigo Nogueira's guard. Nice move by Yuudai!

Yuudai gets to his feet. Rodrigo Nogueira looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Yuudai tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rodrigo Nogueira changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Yuudai throws a series of punches but Rodrigo Nogueira moves out of range.
Yuudai throws a series of punches but Rodrigo Nogueira avoids them all with ease.
Yuudai tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rodrigo Nogueira was well out of range. Poor timing from Yuudai.
And Rodrigo Nogueira tries to counter it with a takedown but Yuudai pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Yuudai tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Rodrigo Nogueira counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Rodrigo Nogueira thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yuudai is looking to escape.
Yuudai tries to roll over but Rodrigo Nogueira keeps him under control.
Rodrigo Nogueira working Yuudai over with strikes.
Yuudai is looking to improve his position.
Yuudai is trying to stand up here but Rodrigo Nogueira is controlling him well.
Rodrigo Nogueira looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Yuudai controlling the position well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rodrigo Nogueira scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Kenta Yuudai did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Yuudai has managed to clinch.
Yuudai lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Rodrigo Nogueira is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Yuudai gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Rodrigo Nogueira jumps guard but Yuudai stands there with Rodrigo Nogueira around his waist. Rodrigo Nogueira gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Rodrigo Nogueira wants to break the clinch but can't.
A short uppercut from Yuudai.
Yuudai is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

Yuudai jumps into guard, dragging Rodrigo Nogueira to the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Yuudai uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Yuudai fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rodrigo Nogueira drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Yuudai defends it well.
Yuudai tries to clinch but Rodrigo Nogueira moves out of range.
Rodrigo Nogueira feints the counter takedown.
Rodrigo Nogueira is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Yuudai looks to clinch

and Rodrigo Nogueira counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yuudai is refusing to be controlled, as Rodrigo Nogueira sits in half guard.
Yuudai is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Rodrigo Nogueira's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Rodrigo Nogueira's back!
Yuudai gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.

Rodrigo Nogueira showing good submission defense here.

Yuudai is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Rodrigo Nogueira is defending well though. Yuudai let's go of the attempt for now.
Rodrigo Nogueira covers up after that shot from Yuudai.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yuudai wants to control but Rodrigo Nogueira is keeping busy.
You can see the frustration on Rodrigo Nogueira's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Rodrigo Nogueira manages to reverse the position and now he's in Yuudai's guard. Nice work there by Rodrigo Nogueira.
Rodrigo Nogueira with a flurry of punches that miss.
Yuudai wants to sweep here but Rodrigo Nogueira controlling him for the moment.
Rodrigo Nogueira engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Yuudai wants to stand but Rodrigo Nogueira is controlling the position.

Rodrigo Nogueira has gone for a leg lock! Yuudai slips out almost immediately though and dives into Rodrigo Nogueira's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yuudai wants to get up but he can't break Rodrigo Nogueira's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Rodrigo Nogueira is working an open guard so Yuudai takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Yuudai takes the fight into the clinch.
Rodrigo Nogueira blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Rodrigo Nogueira tightens his grip and picks Yuudai up, before dumping him to the ground. Yuudai manages to land in guard.

Yuudai wriggles free and stands up.
Yuudai displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Yuudai fails with an attempt to clinch.
Yuudai tries to clinch but Rodrigo Nogueira is having none of it.
Rodrigo Nogueira with the counter takedown but Yuudai avoids it easily.
Yuudai throws a hook but Rodrigo Nogueira blocks it.
Rodrigo Nogueira is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Yuudai scores with a one two! Rodrigo Nogueira had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Yuudai throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Rodrigo Nogueira changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Yuudai tries to clinch but Rodrigo Nogueira moves out of range.
Rodrigo Nogueira changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Yuudai misses with a left hand

and Rodrigo Nogueira counters with a nice double leg into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenta Yuudai had his way with Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Yuudai throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Rodrigo Nogueira changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Yuudai is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Yuudai tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Rodrigo Nogueira counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Yuudai!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Rodrigo Nogueira goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Yuudai rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Rodrigo Nogueira's guard! Nice work there by Yuudai!

Yuudai gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Yuudai swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rodrigo Nogueira changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yuudai throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Rodrigo Nogueira tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Yuudai stuns Rodrigo Nogueira with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Yuudai tries to bum rush Rodrigo Nogueira with a series of wild strikes but Rodrigo Nogueira uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Rodrigo Nogueira with the counter takedown but Yuudai avoids it easily.
Yuudai falls off balance throwing a combination

and Rodrigo Nogueira counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Yuudai looking to control.
Rodrigo Nogueira stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Yuudai swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Rodrigo Nogueira with a nice head shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigo Nogueira looking to pass the guard.
Rodrigo Nogueira throws a big right hand that misses.
Rodrigo Nogueira pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Yuudai is keeping the position for now.
Rodrigo Nogueira throws an elbow that misses. Yuudai uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Rodrigo Nogueira's guard. Nice move by Yuudai!

Rodrigo Nogueira has momentary wrist control but Yuudai slips an elbow through the middle.
Yuudai tries to stand but Rodrigo Nogueira is controlling from the bottom.

Rodrigo Nogueira is looking for a triangle but Yuudai pushes his legs off easily.
Yuudai looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rodrigo Nogueira looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Rodrigo Nogueira keeping moving, preventing Yuudai from controlling successfully.
Kenta Yuudai is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rodrigo Nogueira is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Rodrigo Nogueira looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Yuudai not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Rodrigo Nogueira striking off his back but it's not causing Yuudai any problems.

Rodrigo Nogueira looking for a guillotine here but Yuudai defends easily.
Rodrigo Nogueira trying to keep a closed guard but Yuudai is proving a slippery customer.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Rodrigo Nogueira has his foot on Yuudai's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Yuudai works his way back into a safe position though.
Yuudai trying to stand up but can't free himself from Rodrigo Nogueira's guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Yuudai moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kenta Yuudai showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Yuudai has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Eliza Hachem scores the fight 50:45
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 50:46
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 50:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kenta Yuudai!
Kenta Yuudai thanked the fans post fight for their support.